While we definitely encourage you to make the most of your time in London, especially if it’s limited, sometimes the hustle and bustle can become a little bit overwhelming. This is when a day trip from London becomes tempting, providing the perfect escape from the busy city streets. Whether you want to see classic British countryside or fancy diving into a nearby town’s history and heritage, exploring somewhere different is relatively easy if you know where you’re going. Here, we’ve picked some of our favourite day trips that are easily reachable from London and provide a different perspective on the UK.
Oxford
Harry Potter fans should flock to Oxford on a day trip from London, as this historic city served as a muse for the iconic films. If this sounds like a bit of you, this Harry Potter walking tour will take you to see it all, including Hogwarts’ Infirmary, set in one of the halls of the famous Bodleian Library at Oxford University, one of the most prestigious universities. Accessible from London by train in around an hour, it’s easy to reach, and once you get there, you’ll be greeted with breathtaking architecture, a plethora of interesting museums, and picturesque rolling landscapes.
Oxford is one of the most quintessentially British cities, with quaint streets, cosy British pubs and traditional tea rooms. It’s also steeped in history, and if you’re keen to explore the university, which is said to have evidence of teaching as early as 1096, this Oxford University tour takes you on a walk around the university and its grounds alongside a student guide who offers a glimpse into life at this iconic institution. If you’d rather see more, there’s also this tour that not only takes you to explore Oxford but also some of the small villages that make up the nearby Cotswolds.
Cambridge
If you’re looking for a traditional English city, Cambridge is the one, and it’s an easy day trip from London. This stunning city is home to the esteemed University of Cambridge, which has educated some of the world’s greatest minds, such as Stephen Hawking, Charles Darwin, and Dame Emma Thompson. It’s also home to Trinity College and King’s College Chapel, all of which are works of architectural art and some of the most iconic buildings in the city, sitting amongst many other pretty stone structures and between cobbled alleyways.
Cambridge has plenty of quintessential British activities to get stuck into, like browsing independent shops, dining at cute English cafés and punting on the River Cam; punting is where you cruise along the river in a punt, which is a long boat with a flat bottom with a dedicated punter who pushes a pole against the river bed. You can also walk across the famous Mathematical Bridge and explore the lush Cambridge University Botanic Garden, one of the oldest botanic gardens in the UK, home to over 8,000 species of plants from around the world. If you want a guide to show you the best bits of the city, this sightseeing tour of Cambridge combines a guided tour of the city’s highlights with plenty of free time so you can enjoy the tourist sights as well as have plenty of spare time to do as you please.
York
You can reach York from London in around two hours by train, where you’ll find a city steeped in rich heritage and cultural attractions. This old city is a network of medieval streets, well-preserved city walls, and iconic landmarks such as York Minster, one of the largest cathedrals in Northern Europe. Wander through the atmospheric Shambles, a narrow cobblestone street lined with timber-framed buildings housing quaint shops and cafés – said to be the inspo for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley (although there are quite a few places around the UK that claim this!) Delve into the city’s Viking past at the Jorvik Viking Centre or stroll along the scenic River Ouse for picture-perfect views. If you’re planning on visiting York, this city highlights tour will take you to explore the best bits, including a Roman fortress and ruined abbey within a Victorian botanic garden, some Harry Potter film locations, and many other key sights.
Bath
The city of Bath has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, so it’s no surprise it’s chock full of beautiful buildings like Bath Abbey, a Gothic gem steeped in over a millennium of history. It’s also widely renowned for its impeccably maintained Roman baths and stunning Georgian architecture. Independent boutiques and artisanal shops are all over this city, plus there’s a range of cultural events that take place all year round, including the Bath Literature Festival. It’s also the only city in the UK with natural hot springs, perfect for some R&R. The surrounding landscape is just as exciting as the city itself; think of classic English countryside, and this is it. This guided tour of Bath gives you the option to visit The Roman Baths while also exploring the best of the city’s Georgian architecture, its ancient heritage and lively modern culture.
Brighton
Brighton is one of the most popular day trips Londoners like to go on, most likely because it’s super quick to get to, around an hour from the city centre from Victoria station. While a little busier throughout the summer months, people flock to the beach to take a dip and enjoy being by the sea. It’s also not too far from the South Downs National Park, renowned for its natural beauty. However, it also deserves mention for its incredible restaurant scene; there are some seriously impressive dining spots here, like Casazul, a family-owned authentic Mexican spot serving some of the best tacos in the city and Bincho Yakitori, an award-winning Japanese restaurant.
In general, the city is a cultural hot spot, with plenty of art galleries and museums to explore, as well as being the LGBTQIA+ capital of Britain. If you happen to visit during the UK’s biggest Pride festival (usually in early August), you’re in for a treat. If you want to visit Brighton, just hop on a train from Victoria or Blackfriars, and you’ll be there in about an hour. There’s also this pre-arranged small group tour that will take you to explore Brighton with a stop at the stunning Downs along the way.
Lewes
Just over an hour from London by train, you can be in Lewes, surrounded by the incredible South Downs National Park and a stone’s throw from untouched coastline and beaches. This quaint part of the UK is made up of a bunch of historical buildings, including Lewes Castle, a medieval fortress built shortly after the Norman conquest of England in 1066, and Anne of Cleves House, a historic Tudor house in Lewes named after Anne of Cleves, the fourth wife of King Henry VIII.
You’ll also find one of England’s oldest independent breweries in Lewes, Harvey’s Brewery, established in 1790 and now a beloved Lewes institution. Lewes is located within the South Downs National Park, with easy access to rolling English countryside, scenic walking trails, and plenty of outdoor activities. This guided tour of the South Downs National Park takes you to admire this spectacular countryside, with plenty of opportunities to snap some photos of the iconic Seven Sisters chalk cliffs formed under an ancient sea that existed between 65 and 100 million years ago.
Windsor
Located just over 20 miles west of London, Windsor is easily accessible by train; you can be there in as little as 30 minutes from London Paddington station. Many people want to visit Windsor for its magnificent Windsor Castle, the world’s oldest and largest inhabited castle, which has been a part of the British royal family for over 900 years. Stroll along the Long Walk, a tree-lined avenue stretching from the castle to the Copper Horse statue, enjoying picturesque views of the Windsor Great Park, or browse the quaint shops and cafés in the town centre. You can also take a boat trip along the River Thames to get a different perspective of this historic town. There are a few organised day trips you can take that means you can leave the planning to someone else, like this guided tour of Windsor Castle or tick three places off with this tour of Windsor, Oxford, and Stonehenge, one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments.
Margate
There’s a reason Margate has been given the nickname ‘Shoreditch by the Sea’. This up-and-coming seaside town boasts a variety of superb dining spots, art galleries, independent boutiques, and quirky vintage shops and is reachable by train in around 1 hour and 30 minutes from London St Pancras or Victoria station. It’s famously home to the renowned Turner Contemporary Gallery, paying homage to the artist who drew inspiration from the town’s unique skies and light. Margate has also become a must-visit for foodies, with some seriously sought-after restaurants, like Angela’s, a top spot for locally sourced and sustainable seafood and Peter’s Fish Factory for classic British fish and chips.
Cotswolds
The Cotswolds holds a special place among the UK’s iconic destinations, conveniently reachable from London by train in around 1-2 hours, heading to either Moreton-in-Marsh, Cheltenham Spa or Kingham from London Paddington. Spanning 8,000 square miles across five counties, there are fewer places quite as quintessentially British as here; it’s made up of idyllic landscapes, rolling countryside and quaint villages scattered with classic stone houses. Bourton-on-the-Water is renowned as ‘The Venice of the Cotswolds,’ where the River Windrush winds its way through the village, overlooked by arched bridges. Burford is another popular area, chock full of traditional pubs and shops, while Chipping Campden is a slightly larger town with plenty to see and do. If you want to leave the logistics to someone else, book this small-group day trip tour from London to Cotswolds, which will take you on a leisurely exploration of the Cotswolds’s pretty narrow lanes, historic towns and villages.
Eastbourne
If Brighton is a little too busy for you, try Eastbourne; it’s only an extra 20 minutes on the train and is an excellent day trip from London. It’s full of trendy coffee shops (To The Rise is fab), a watersports centre where you can try your hand at windsurfing, sailing or paddleboarding, and a bunch of lovely local restaurants and pubs. There are also cutting-edge galleries like the Towner Gallery, which showcases an impressive collection of contemporary art. Eastbourne is also home to Little Chelsea, hailed as one of the country’s hippest neighbourhoods by The Times, full of independent boutiques and cafés. The live music at the beachfront bandstand is a summer highlight, paired with panoramic sea views. Plus, the South Downs National Park is just moments away, home to the iconic Seven Sisters Cliffs, best enjoyed by hiking the coastal trail from Eastbourne to Seaford. Jump on the train from Victoria to be there within an hour and 20 or head on this South Downs National Park tour if you’re just keen to see the Seven Sisters cliffs and surrounding nature.
Are you currently planning things to see and do on your trip to London? Grab one of our itineraries to have us plan it all for you, and read these articles next so you can avoid wasting any time while you’re here:
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